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7/02/2010

Great Owl Grochet-Along - Finishing!

I can't believe that this is the last lesson in the Great Owl Crochet-Along! I've had so much fun doing this and I know that I totally want to do it again. But without further ado, let's get to the part you've all been waiting for... finishing your owl!

I'm not sure that I can give you too much more guidance when it comes to sewing on the feet and belly patch. As it says in the pattern, I like my belly patch centered two to three rounds below the beak. Then, the feet go right below that. As I've noted in some of my other lessons, it's really a matter of preference, and there have been some outstanding variations on the Flikr group. So, mix it up!

Once the belly patch and feet are sewn on, it's time to get into decreasing for real. You'll decrease evenly until you get to a round with 24 stitches left in it.

Then, it's time to stuff your hooter. I think Tammie Snow (of RoxyCraft) said it best on stuffing: "Stuff your amigurimi until you can't fit any more fluff in it -- then, stuff it some more." My finished amigurumi are almost hard because they have so much fluff in them -- and this really helps out with keeping the shape you've crocheted.

When your owl is properly stuffed, it's time to decrease down to the last six stitches and finish off. when I get down to my last six stitches, I like to leave a long tail. I then use the tail with my yarn needle to gather the final stitches together so that none of the fluff leaks out.

After gathering the stitches, I push the needle through the center of the bottom of my owl and bring it out at the back of the head -- just about where the neck would be.

Then, I go back through the body and pull the tail tight. This does two things -- it sucks the final rounds of the owl up inside the body a bit so that your owl has a flat surface to stand. It also make a little dimple on the back of the head that defines the neck.

Finish off your piece and drag the leftover tail inside the body... and dare I say it? You're done!

Stay tuned for the big reveal on my finished owls... Plus the first of the flock has already landed at my house -- so be on the lookout for some family reunion photos!

Amigurumi 101

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What is amigurumi?

Amigurumi(編み包み) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. Amigurumi are typically cute animals (such as bears, rabbits, cats, dogs, etc.), but can include inanimate objects endowed with anthropomorphic features. Amigurumi can be either knitted or crocheted. In recent years crocheted amigurumi are more popular and more commonly seen.